Boot or shoe



0. HUTCHISON BOOT OR SHOE April 25, 1939.

Filed Dec. 9, 1936 Hutch/60m.

PM A r. 25, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in boots and shoes.

Heretofore when overshoes were worn with boots or shoes difiiculties were experienced in 3 keeping the overshoe on the boot or shoe. Such overshoes also permitted mud, snow, slush and water to pass between the boot and overshoe, destroying the effectiveness of the overshoe and causing discomfort to the wearer.

An important object of the present invention is the provision of an article of footwear such as a boot or shoe which when worn with an overshoe will prevent the entrance of water, dirt, mud or snow into the overshoe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a boot or shoe which when worn with an overshoe will prevent accidental dislodgement of the overshoe.

A further object of the invention is the pro- 20 vision of a boot or shoe which is of attractive appearance when worn with or without an overshoe, and which when worn with an overshoe will give the overshoe the appearance of being an integral part of the boot or shoe.

25 Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification and wherein like 30 characters of reference denote like parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a boot or high-topped shoe embodying the invention, and showing an overshoe in place thereon.

35 Figure 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the boot or shoe looking towards the rear thereof,

Figure 3 is a similar view of the boot or shoe without the overshoe,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a shoe embodying the present invention, the overshoe be-- ing indicated in dotted lines, and,

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view thereof looking towards the heel portion of 45 the shoe.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral i designates the sole of a boot or shoe having a heel II and an upper 50 I2. In Figures 1 to 3 the boot is illustrated as the high-topped shoe variety having a top or leg portion l3 divided in front for its entire length and having eyelets or the like along the divided edges for the reception of suitable laces 55 ll. In this type of footwear suitable straps l are usually disposed near the top of the shoe for further securing the divided portions together, as seen in Figure 1.

An important feature of the present invention is the formation of the sole l0 and upper l2 5 separately from the leg or top portion l3. when the parts are assembled, the upper l2 extends up into the top portion l3 and is secured thereto by a row of stitching H5 or other securing means at a point spaced a substantial distance from the lower edge of the top portion l3. The lower portion of top l3 extends below the row of stitches l8 to form a flap II which normally hugs the upper l2 and conforms to the shape thereof. The flap l1 extends completely around the upper i2 terminating at the divided forward portion of the leg portion l3, its upper limit being defined by 'the row of stitches i6 which preferably curves upwardly at front and rear to conform generally to the shape of the open top of the usual overshoe. The laces l4 and eyelets preferably extend down to a point adjacent the bottom of the flap so that tightening of the laces serves to draw the flap into close contact with the boot or shoe.

A strap l8 of leather or other suitable flexible material is secured at one end to the lower portion of flap i1 and is adapted to extend below the arch of the boot or shoe and engage a suitable buckle l9 secured to the other side of the flap IT. The strap [8 and the buckle holding tab may be formed integrally with the fiap I! or secured thereto by stitching or other suitable means.

When the boot or shoe is to be worn without overshoes, the strap I8 is passed under the arch of the shoe adjacent the heel II and tightly held by the buckle to hold the flap I! in place, as seen in Figure 3. When overshoes are to be worn, the strap I8 is unbuckled and laces I4 loosened before the overshoe 20 is placed on the shoe. The flap I! may then be folded up away from the shoe to permit the overshoe taking its place under the flap, or the flap may be loosened sufliciently to permit the overshoe to extend up inside of the flap. The laces H are then tightened and strap I8 passed about the overshoe and secured in position by the buckle, I to securely hold the overshoe in position on the boot or shoe as seen in Figures 1 and 2.

The flap ll fits snugly about the overshoe, preventing the entrance of water, mud, snow or the like into the top of the overshoe and the flap and strap prevent accidental removal of 1 29 overshoe. This is particularly important in u films 4 and 5 the invention is shown apto a street shoe having the sole ll, heel The top portion I3 of the tched thereto to form II. The flap I'I' may have any suitable ornamental contour and extends over the overshoe I. to seal the top thereof and to hold the overas to give the appearance of being an integral of the shoe. desired the strap and buckle may be dispensed with and the tension placed on the flap laces ll relied upon for securing the overoe in position. However, for positive retention of the overshoe, the use of strap II and buckle II is preferred.

It will be seen that I haveprovided a boot or shoe which has an attractive appearance when worn with or without an overshoe, and which when worn with an overshoe will seal the overshoe against the ingress of foreign matter while securing the overshoe in place against accidental removal.

While it is preferred to form the flaps i1 and I1 by overlapl m the top portion of the footwear over the lower portion of the upper, the flap may obviously be formed in some other manner.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subioined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I of the upper, said flap being adapted to extend 0-- over an overshoe, a buckle secured to the flap on one side of the upper, and a strap secured to the flap on the other side of the upper and adapted to extend beneath the arch portion of the sole to 'adjustably engage the buckle, whereby the strap will hold the flap in position when the footwear is worn without-an overshoe and hold the flap and overshoe in position when an'overshoe is worn on the footwear, said article of footwear having the appearance of the usual high top footwear when worn without the overshoe.

2. An article of footwear for outdoor use comprising a substantially rigid sole and heel, a substantially flexible upper secured to the sole, a leg portion of flexible material permanently secured to the upper at a point spaced above the lower end of the leg portion to form a depending flap on the exterior of the upper, said flap being adapted to extend over an overshoe worn on the footwear, the upper being-unbroken and the leg portion being divided by a slit extending to a point adjacent said flap, laces connecting the 1 divided portions of the leg portion, a buckle se- 

